Keeping Our Perspective
In these hours of turmoil and confusion it is obviously difficult for many people to retain their balance. We mean with reference to the church. Some of the brethren become so enthusiastic and exuberant in their rejoicing over progress that one gets the feeling they are almost incoherent with rapture. "Greatest meeting in the history of the church," "fastest growing religious body in America," "A million souls for Christ this year," "big business for God," and similar expressions and slogans can finally get one's head in a whirl so that a true appraisal becomes difficult. In similar fashion it is easy to become so pessimistic and melancholy over developing trends towards wholesale apostasy that one becomes discouraged and depressed.
It is particularly needful that all of us retain the proper balance in times when controversies are prevalent among the saints. There always have been controversies, and likely always will be. But at certain times and periods it seems these controversies assume proportions far greater than at other times. When such happens, the church either overcomes the problem and goes on to greater achievement, or else fellowship is broken and one segment goes off into apostasy. Maybe both, or all, do. An example of the first kind is seen in the controversy in the early church over circumcision and the keeping of the law. Because the brethren generally were willing to submit to the will of God, once it was clearly revealed, there was no general split into "Jewish" Christians and "Gentile" Christians; but, on the contrary, following that meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15) there was a wide-spread and rapid evangelization of the whole world.
An example of the second kind is seen in the tragedy which befell the Restoration Movement shortly after the Civil War. When the controversy waxed hot over instrumental music and missionary societies there was NOT the willingness to submit to the clearly revealed will of God, and as a consequence a new denomination was born. An apostasy took place which crippled the cause of Christ for many decades. And even still we feel the effects of it.
As a period of debate and discussion now seems to be inevitable, we plead for all Christians to keep their sense of balance, to keep their heads. For several years there have been writings back and forth in the papers over "colleges, orphan homes, sponsoring churches," and such, but now we are apparently coming into a time when formal discussions shall become increasingly numerous. The Holt-Totty discussion scheduled for Indianapolis last week will probably be followed by numerous others. Brother Harper has expressed a desire to debate this writer in Lufkin next spring; if that discussion takes place, it will be followed by a discussion in Abilene between Brother Harper and Brother Cogdill. And that in turn will be the opening of what may prove to be a nation-wide series of such debates.
If we had to use one word, and only one, to describe the attitude of the true Christian, we would probably want to use the word "poised." The Christian is one who is poised; he retains his balance, his sense of proportion.
He is not thrown on balance either by the flattery of his friends or the opposition of his foes. Neither sudden wealth nor sudden poverty can shake him. Not the overwhelming surge of great temptation, nor yet the long hard burden of the wearisome day. He will not be shaken; he cannot be moved. Betrayal by his friends, disappointment in those whom he trusted, the weakness of others — none of these can jar him from the certain path of right and righteousness. Like Paul of old, he can say, "none of these things move me."
Such a characteristic is sorely needed in our day. There is all too often evident a lack of the calm self-possession that Christians ought to have. Admittedly there are some differences between and among us. And when such differences exist there will be discussions of them. But certainly those discussions can and should be kept free of all recrimination and bitterness. The hotheaded, sensitive, "quick on the trigger" brother had better leave the discussions to others, and try to keep himself out of the controversy. Let each man earnestly and prayerfully study the issues; make up his own mind as to the teaching of God's word, and then to the best of his ability bring and keep his life in conformity with that which "is written."
So far as this writer personally is concerned he knows of no one at all involved in these controversial matters whom he does not regard as a friend and a brother. He is not "through" with anybody! Battles for truth and righteousness are not won by such an attitude as causes a brother in Christ to declare he is "through" with another brother in Christ. We plead that there shall be no such spirit ever permitted to develop among Christians of our day. Let our differences be discussed by all means; and let that discussion be pressed with all the force and vigor at our command. But let us not lose our perspective in the matter. We are seeking the advancement of the cause of truth, not its crucifixion.
— F. Y. T.